JEDDAH — KAIA, MHA and Al-Khulais won their opening week matches in the Morning Division-I Jotun League, sponsored by Jotun Paints Saudi Arabia and organized by Jeddah Cricket Association (JCA) here recently. Jotun is sponsoring the tournament for the fourth straight year. In all 15 teams, divided into two groups, are taking part in the tournament. Top four teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage. In the first match, KAIA beat Pak Young by 2 wickets. Pak Young put on 191-8 with Yahya Khatak scoring 44 off 24 balls (5x4 and 1x6), Ahmad Shah 23, while Abdullah remained unbeaten on 28. Shaan (3-25), Imtiaz (2-10) shared the spoils as KAIA gave away 34 extras. In reply, KAIA reached the target of 192 for the loss of 8 wickets. Fazal led the way with 55 (7x4). He received good support from Assad (45) and Imtiaz (40). Fazal (2-25), Nasrullah (2-30) and Riaz Afridi (2-32) bowled well, but their efforts fell short. The second match saw MHA hand Stallions a 50-run thrashing. MHA, batting first, scored 221-6. Sheraz scored 60 (6x4 and 4x6) and Raj 30. Rafiq picked up 3-21, while Ali and Ehsan claimed a wicket each for 22 and 4 runs, respectively. The Stallions gave away 31 extras. In reply, Stallions could only manage 171-6 with Rafay scoring 64 (7x4), Ahsan 25 and Fahad 26. Mir Ali Shah, Iftekhar, Raj, Sher Muhammad and Asif claimed one wicket each. In the third match, Al-Khulais humbled Saliheen by 33 runs. Al-Khulais scored 177-9 with Hafiz Ismail scoring 55 (5x6 and 3x4), Zahoor 41 and Tanveer 23. Nasir bagged 4-33, while Faisal chipped in with 2-27. In reply, Saliheen was bundled out for 144 with Faisal fighting a lone battle with 83 off 44 balls (5x4 and 4x6). None of the other batsmen could reach double figure. Sabeel (3-14), Shahid (2-24) and Zohaib (2-30) did the damage. Earlier, Jotun Paints Saudi Arabia and JCA signed a contract to sponsor Division I League - “Jotun Paints League” – for the fourth straight year. Those present at the signing ceremony from Jotun Paints were: Faisal Karim, Marketing Manager; Dilip Tambe, National Sales Manager, Decorative Projects; Mohammed Faseehuddin, Area Sales Manager, Decorative Project Western & Northern Region; and Khaja Hafeezuddin, Area Sales Manager, Decorative Projects Central Region. JCA President Mohammed Iqbal and A.A. Merchant represented the cricket body. On confirming the sponsorship Tambe appreciated the efforts put in by JCA during the last three years in promoting cricket and inculcating the spirit of sportsmanship amongst the youth in Jeddah. He also thanked JCA for giving Jotun Saudia an opportunity to sponsor JCA League and assured them of its continued support.
